Disparities in Time-to-treatment for Patients With Melanoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study aimed to investigate the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with disparities in the time-to-treatment for melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an analysis of patients with melanoma from 2004 to 2019 using the National Cancer Database. Time intervals from diagnosis to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were compared based on age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

A total of 647,273 patients with melanoma were included. Overall, Hispanic patients had the longest times to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy compared to non-Hispanic patients (surgery 38.52 vs. 31.90 days, radiation 130.12 vs. 99.67 days, chemotherapy 93.66 vs. 83.72 days, all p<0.01). Similarly, black patients and those who were uninsured had the longest times-to-treatment.

CONCLUSION

We identified significant disparities in time-to-treatment, related to both race and socioeconomic factors. It is increasingly imperative to conduct further investigations into the root causes of these disparities to effectively address and rectify the inequities present in breast cancer care.

Identification of potential biomarkers for melanoma cancer (black tumor) using bioinformatics strategy: a study based on GEO and SRA datasets

Melanoma, a highly invasive type of skin cancer that penetrates the entire dermis layer, is associated with increased mortality rates. Excessive exposure of the skin to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet radiation, is the underlying cause of this malignant condition. The appearance of unique skin moles represents a visible clue, referred to as the "ugly duckling" sign, indicating the presence of melanoma and its association with cellular DNA damage. This research aims to explore potential biomarkers derived from microarray data, employing bioinformatics techniques and methodologies, for a thorough investigation of melanoma skin cancer. The microarray dataset for melanoma skin cancer was obtained from the GEO database, and thorough data analysis and quality control measures were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The top 14 highly expressed DEGs were identified, and their gene information and protein sequences were retrieved from the NCBI gene and protein database. These proteins were further analyzed for domain identification and network analysis. Gene expression analysis was conducted to visualize the upregulated and downregulated genes. Additionally, gene metabolite network analysis was carried out to understand the interactions between highly interconnected genes and regulatory transcripts. Molecular docking was employed to investigate the ligand-binding sites and visualize the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Our research unveiled a collection of genes with varying expression levels, some elevated and others reduced, which could function as promising biomarkers closely linked to the development and advancement of melanoma skin cancer. Through molecular docking analysis of the GINS2 protein, we identified two natural compounds (PubChem-156021169 and PubChem-60700) with potential as inhibitors against melanoma. This research has implications for early detection, treatment, and understanding the molecular basis of melanoma.

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC phytochemicals induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation signaling pathways, EMT, migration, invasion, angiogenesis and stem cell markers in melanoma cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.), DC is a xerophytic plant species that extensively grow in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Brazil. From ancient time P. juliflora is being utilized in various folk remedies for example in wound healing, fever, inflammation, measles, excrescences, diarrhea and dysentery. Traditionally, gum, paste, and smoke obtained from the leaves and pods are applied for anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial purposes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our previous studies have demonstrated the promising potential of Prosopis Juliflora leaves methanol extract (PJLME) against breast cancer, and suggested its possible integration as a complementary medicine for the effective management of breast cancer. However, evidence against how PJLME mechanistically target the cancer proliferative pathways and other targets is poorly understood. The basic aim of the present study was to understand the anti-melanoma potential of PJLME against B16f10 cells with possible mechanisms of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. Wound and transwell migration assay was performed to check migration potential of cells after PJLME treatment, while clonogenic assay was carried out to understand its colony inhibition actvity. Flow cytometry was used to perform annexin V/PI assay (apoptosis assay), ROS assay, cell cycle analysis. In-vitro angiogenesis assay was performed to check formation of capillary like vascular structure after PJLME treatment. Apoptotic genes, signaling pathways markers, EMT markers and stem cell markers were determined by western blotting. In-vivo BALB/C mice xenograft model study was performed to check the effect of PJLME on in-vivo melanoma tumor growth.

RESULTS

The experimental outcome of the present study has clearly demonstrated the inhibition of growth, migration, invasion, colony formation and apoptosis inducing potential of PJLME against mouse melanoma cancer cells. Treatment of B16F10 melanoma cells with PJLME resulted in arrest of cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Annexin V-FITC/PI assay confirmed the apoptosis inducing potential of PJLME in B16F10 and A375 melanoma cells. Furthermore, Western blot experiments confirmed that the treatment of PJLME downregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic gene like Bcl2 and increase the expression profile of pro-apoptotic genes like Bax, Bad, and Bak in B16F10 melanoma cells. HUVEC (Human umbilical vein endothelial cells) tube formation assay clearly demonstrated the anti-angiogenic potential of PJLME. The study also revealed that PJLME has potential to inhibit the Akt and Erk signaling pathways which are participating in cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion etc. The outcome of qRT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis clearly unveiled that PJLME treatment leads to downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as stem cell markers. Finally, the in-vivo animal xenograft model study also revealed the anti-melanoma potential of PJLME by significantly inhibiting the B16F10 melanoma tumor growth in BALB/c mice model. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of PJLME showed the presence of variety of bioactive molecules associated with anticancer effects.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of the present investigation clearly demonstrated the anti-melanoma potential of PJLME against B16f10 melanoma cells. PJLME can be explored as an adjuvant or complementary therapy against melanoma cancer, however further studies are required to understand the clinical efficacy of PJLME. Nevertheless, it can be further explored as a promising resource for identification of novel anticancer candidate drug.

PCL/gelatin nanofibers embedded with doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles/silver nanoparticles as an antibacterial and anti-melanoma cancer

Melanoma cancer wound healing is critical and complex and poses a significant challenge to researchers. Drug resistance, adverse side effects, and inefficient localization of chemotherapeutic drugs limit common treatment strategies in melanoma cancer. Using drug delivery nanostructures with low side effects and high efficiency, besides having antibacterial and antiseptic properties, can effectively repair the damage caused by the disease. To this end, this study aimed to develop a drug delivery nanosystem based on doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded amine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), linked with green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Characterization methods including microscopic methods and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the synthesis and functionalization of the well-dispersed nanoparticles with nanosized and uniform structures. The poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers as a strong scaffold were produced by the blow spinning method and DOX-loaded nanoparticles were blow spun on PCL nanofibers along with gelatin solution. The resulting nanosystem including nanofibers and nanoparticles (NFs/NPS) showed a fine loading percent with a proper release profile of DOX and AgNPs and low hemolysis activity. Moreover, besides preventing infection by AgNPs, the DOX-loaded NFs/NPs could effectively destroy melanoma cancer cells. The attachment of normal cells to the nanoparticles-loaded nanofibers scaffold revealed the possibility of healing wounds caused by melanoma cancer.

Evaluation of the antitumor activity of moronecidin (Piscidin)-like peptide in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody against melanoma tumor

Objectives

Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of oncology over the last decade and has become a standard of care for various cancers. Researchers previously demonstrated that B16-F10 melanoma in C57Bl6 mice is resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The goal of this study was to investigate how anti-PD1 antibodies functioned in combination with a new antimicrobial peptide (AMP) called moronecidin-like peptide (MLP).

Materials and Methods

We studied the cytotoxic effect of AMP on the B10-F16 tumor cell line with the MTT experiment. The necrotic and apoptotic cells were determined by Presidium iodide (PI) /Annexin V staining and flow cytometry-based methods. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B10-F16 tumor cells in the mammary gland. Each group was sacrificed two weeks after the last injection to examine tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses using flow cytometry.

Results

Annexin V and PI staining assay revealed that MPL significantly induces apoptosis in B16F10 cells. It should be noted that MLP in combination with anti-PD-1 improved antigen-specific T-cell responses synergistically (P=0.01) when compared with respective monotherapy. Furthermore, when compared with the respective monotherapies, combination therapy significantly controlled tumor growth in B10-F16 tumor cells and increased survival rate.

Conclusion

Treatments with anti-PD-1 inhibitors alone had only a minor effect on tumor size, whereas combination therapy resulted in significant tumor growth control and increased animal survival. MLP therapy combined with anti-PD-1 antibody improves anti-tumor immune response in addition to inducing tumor cell apoptosis. As a result, the evidence suggests that intratumoral injection of MPL can improve anti-PD-1 antibody antitumor response.

In vitro evaluation of the intensifying photodynamic effect due to the presence of plasmonic hollow gold nanoshells loaded with methylene blue on breast and melanoma cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is one of the most important limiting factors in photodynamic therapy that can reduce the effectiveness of this treatment. By designing a nanocomplex of plasmonic nanoparticles and photosensitizers with similar optical properties, the rate of free oxygen radical production can be increased and the efficiency of photodynamic therapy can be improved. in this study, we tried to use the outstanding capacities of hollow gold nanoshells (HGNSs) as a plasmonic nanocarrier of methylene blue (MB) to improve the performance of photodynamic therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

After synthesis and optimization of hollow gold nanoshells loaded with Methylene blue (HGNSs-PEG-MB), the characteristics of MB, HGNSs, HGNSs-PEG, HGNSs-PEG-MB, and their toxicity at different concentrations on the cell lines was determined. After determining of optimum concentration of nano agents, irradiation of cell was performed with non-coherent of light source with 670 nm wavelength and an intensity of 14.9 mW/cm². Twenty-four hours after irradiation, an MTT assay was used to determine cell survival percentage. To compare the results, we defined different indexes such as treatment efficiency (TE), synergism ratio (SYN), and the amount of exposure required for 50% cell death (ED50). All the tests were repeated at least four times on the DFW and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

For combination therapies with Lumacare irradiated HGNSs-PEG-MB, the UC index was less than one for all concentrations (P < 0.05). Also, the IC50 index for this nanostructure in non-irradiated conditions and less than 9 min irradiation time was lower than other treatment groups (P < 0.05). ED50 amounts for HGNSs-PEG-MB in all concentrations were greater than the other groups. TE Index was also reported to be greater than 1 in all irradiation conditions and concentrations.

CONCLUSION

In this study, HGNSs-PEG in the role of nanocarriers for methylene Blue was used. The results showed that irradiated HGNSs-PEG-MB by 670 nm light severely induced cell death and greatly improved the efficiency of photodynamic therapy in melanoma and breast cancer cells.

Iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polydopamine as a potential nano-photothermal agent for treatment of melanoma cancer: an in vivo study

Melanoma is a metastatic cancer resistant to a wide range of therapies, including standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and cannot be treated with existing treatments owing to its intrinsic drug resistance. In terms of convenience and cheap cost of fabrication, one of the novel treatments is using polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs@PDA). Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) were synthesized (7.36 nm) and coated with polydopamine (15-20 nm). To examine the effect of photothermal ablation in melanoma cells (B16-F10), a Q-switched ruby laser (λ = 694 nm, spot size = 4 mm, output power = 5 J/s) was used. The prepared nanoprobe was applied to mice, and their survival after treatment was evaluated. Then histopathological studies were done on the livers and skins of the treated mice. The nanoparticles absorb the laser, raising the temperature and initiating photothermal treatment, with significant apoptosis (74%) after the 4th time of treatment. Photothermal therapy (PTT) by using IONs@PDA proved to be effective in the treatment of melanoma cells (tumor size of < 2 mm) without side effects. The lifespan of mice was significantly increased in a group of mice post-administered IONs@PDA and laser ablation. The fabricated nanoprobe (IONs@PDA) enhanced the melanoma cell apoptosis in the mice model, and it has promise for the treatment of melanoma (B16-F10) cells using photothermal therapy.

Multiphoton imaging of melanoma 3D models with plasmonic nanocapsules

We report the synthesis of plasmonic nanocapsules and the cellular responses they induce in 3D melanoma models for their perspective use as a photothermal therapeutic agent. The wall of the nanocapsules is composed of polyelectrolytes. The inner part is functionalized with discrete gold nanoislands. The cavity of the nanocapsules contains a fluorescent payload to show their ability for loading a cargo. The nanocapsules exhibit simultaneous two-photon luminescent, fluorescent properties and X-ray contrasting ability. The average fluorescence lifetime (τ) of the nanocapsules measured with FLIM (0.3 ns) is maintained regardless of the intracellular environment, thus proving their abilities for bioimaging of models such as 3D spheroids with a complex architecture. Their multimodal imaging properties are exploited for the first time to study tumorspheres cellular responses exposed to the nanocapsules. Specifically, we studied cellular uptake, toxicity, intracellular fate, generation of reactive oxygen species, and effect on the levels of hypoxia by using multi-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Because of the high X-ray attenuation and atomic number of the gold nanostructure, we imaged the nanocapsule-cell interactions without processing the sample. We confirmed maintenance of the nanocapsules' geometry in the intracellular milieu with no impairment of the cellular ultrastructure. Furthermore, we observed the lack of cellular toxicity and no alteration in oxygen or reactive oxygen species levels. These results in 3D melanoma models contribute to the development of these nanocapsules for their exploitation in future applications as agents for imaging-guided photothermal therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The novelty of the work is that our plasmonic nanocapsules are multimodal. They are responsive to X-ray and to multiphoton and single-photon excitation. This allowed us to study their interaction with 2D and 3D cellular structures and specifically to obtain information on tumor cell parameters such as hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, and toxicity. These nanocapsules will be further validated as imaging-guided photothermal probes.

Development of a novel formulation method to prepare liposomal Epacadostat

BACKGROUND

One of the important metabolic pathways in cancer progression is tryptophan catabolism by the indoleamin-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme, which suppresses the immune system and induces tolerance. Inhibition of IDO1 is an important therapeutic goal for immunotherapy in many cancers such as metastatic melanoma. Epacadostat (EPA) is a very strong inhibitor of IDO1, and its clinical studies are being performed in a higher clinical phase than other inhibitors. In this study, we have developed a new liposomal EPA formulation to reduce the dose, side effects, and treatment costs.

METHODS

Liposomes containing EPA were formulated using a novel remote loading method. Their morphology, particle size, surface charge, total phospholipid content, and drug loading were evaluated. Validation method studies to assay of EPA were carried out according to ICHQ2B guidelines. For in-vivo study, B16F10 melanoma bearing C57BL/6 mice were treated with the free or liposomal forms of EPA, and then monitored for tumor size and survival rate.

RESULTS

A validated method for EPA determination in liposomal form using UV-visible spectrophotometry was developed which was a precise, accurate and robust method. The particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficacy of liposomes was 128.1 ± 1.1 nm, -16.5 ± 1 mV, and 64.9 ± 3.5, respectively. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of liposomal EPA was 64 ng/ml that was lower than free EPA (128 ng/ml). In-vivo results also showed that tumor growth was slower in mice receiving liposomal EPA than in the group receiving free EPA.

CONCLUSION

A new method was developed to load EPA into liposomes. Moreover, the use of the nanoliposomal EPA showed more efficacy than EPA in inhibiting the tumor growth in melanoma model. Therefore, it might be used in further clinical studies as a good candidate for immunotherapy alone or in combination with other treatments.

Preparation of cerium-curcumin and cerium-quercetin complexes and their LEDs irradiation assisted anticancer effects on MDA-MB-231 and A375 cancer cell lines

Cancer remains common and often is difficult to eradicate. In particular resistant forms like triple negative breast cancer and melanoma generally allow for very short survival. Curcumin and quercetin as two important polyphenols from plants which have different biological roles, potentially including anti-cancer effect. But their clinical application is limited due to poor solubility in aqueous medium. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment using select chemical compounds as photosensitizers, which when activated by light create toxic singlet oxygen. Studies done on plant based photosensitizers such as curcumin and quercetin have shown the ability to ablate tumors. Here we discuss using them as improved PS by making their complex with cerium ions as a delivery system for MDA-MB-231 and A375 cancer cell lines treatment. For this purpose, the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line exposed to red light irradiation (as pretreatment) then treated with curcumin and quercetin alone and also their complex with cerium. In another study the cells treated with curcumin-cerium and quercetin-cerium complex and then irradiated with blue light (photodynamic treatment). Cell survival and apoptosis were determined using MTT and fluorescence microscopy. The result showed that curcumin and quercetin in complex with cerium ions have better toxic effect against both breast and melanoma cancer cells as compared to each compound alone. The finding revealed that curcumin and quercetin in cerium complex could be considered as a new approach in the photodynamic treatment of breast and melanoma cancer cells.

Berberine-photodynamic therapy sensitizes melanoma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis through ROS-mediated P38 MAPK pathways

The clinical use of cisplatin are limited due to its drug resistance. Thus, it is urgent to find effective combination therapy that sensitizes tumor cells to this drug. The combined chemo-photodynamic therapy could increase anti-tumor efficacy while also reduce the side effects of cisplatin. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, which has been reported to show high photosensitizing activity. In this study, we have examined the effect of a combination of cisplatin and berberine-PDT in cisplatin-resistant melanoma cells. The cytotoxic effects of berberine-PDT alone or in combination with cisplatin were tested by MTT assays. We then examined the subcellular localization of berberine with confocal fluorescence microscopy. The percentage of apoptotic cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assessed using flow cytometry analysis. Western blotting used in this study to determine the expression levels of MAPK signaling pathways and apoptosis-related proteins. Experimental data revealed that the mode of cell death is the caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. Excessive accumulation of ROS played a key role in this process, which is confirmed by alleviation of cytotoxicity upon pretreatment with NAC. Furthermore, we found that the combined treatment activated MAPK signaling pathway. The inhibition of p38 MAPK by pretreating with SB203580 block the combined treatment-induced apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, berberine-PDT could be used as a chemo-sensitizer by promoting cell death through activation of a ROS/p38/caspase cascade.

Curcumin-gold-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles as a nanosensitizer for photothermal and sonodynamic therapies: In vitro and animal model studies

Photothermal and ultrasound therapies are novel non-invasive strategies for tumor treatment which are equipped with a photosensitizer and sonosensitizer subsequent activation by laser irradiation and ultrasound exposure. In this study, curcumin-gold-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (Cur-Au NPs-PEG) were synthesized, and the dual role in photothermal (PTT) and sonodynamic (SDT) therapies of melanoma cancer was evaluated. The toxicity effect of Cur-Au NPs-PEG against a mouse malignant melanoma cell line C540 (B16/F10) was firstly inspected in vitro. Cur-Au NPs-PEG provided a hyperthermal microenvironment and generated reactive oxygen species upon PTT and STD, respectively, with representing synergism effects. Studies in vivo in a tumor-bearing animal also demonstrate the superiority of PTT and SDT in destroying melanoma tumor.

Formulation of Stattic as STAT3 inhibitor in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) enhances efficacy of doxorubicin in melanoma cancer cells

Nowadays, nanoparticle-based combination therapy has been emerging as huge innovation in cancer treatment. Here, we studied the effect of Stattic (STAT3 inhibitor) loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) on enhancing the efficacy, cytotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis of doxorubicin in B16F10 mouse melanoma cancer cell. The evaluation of Stattic-loaded NLCs has been done in terms of zeta potential, particle size, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and cellular uptake. MTT assay was applied to evaluate the cell proliferation. Apoptotic cell death and identification of early and late apoptosis were assessed by DAPI staining and Annexin V/PI staining, respectively. Real-time RT-PCR was applied to measure the effects of doxorubicin and/or Stattic on key apoptotic genes such as Bad, Survivin, HIF1, and STAT3. The Stattic formulated into NLCs shown mean particle size of 56 ± 7 nm which was confirmed by SEM. The IC50 values for Stattic and doxorubicin were 2.95 ± 0.52 μM and 1.21 ± 0.36 μM, respectively. Stattic-loaded NLCs diminished percent of cell proliferation from 68 ± 6.8 to 54 ± 3.7% (p < 0.05). Combinational treatment of the cells with Stattic-loaded nanoparticles and doxorubicin give rise to a significant increase in the percentage of apoptosis (p < 0.05). The study of gene expression profile has shown a remarkable decrease in anti-apoptotic gene, Survivin, along with smooth decline in HIF1 as angiogenesis intermediator and increase in Bad mRNA levels. Our results recommend that NLCs as novel technology have potent strategy to augment efficacy of current chemotherapeutic agent in melanoma cancer cells.

Biological studies of an ICG-tagged aptamer as drug delivery system for malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma accounts for about 1% of all skin malignant tumors and represents the most aggressive and lethal form of skin cancer. Clinically, there exist different therapeutic options for melanoma treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy. However, serious adverse effects usually arise, and survival rates are still low because a high number of patients present relapses within 6-9 months after therapy. AS1411 is a G-quadruplex (G4) aptamer capable of tumor-specific recognition, since it binds to nucleolin, a multi-functional protein expressed in many different types of cancer cells. In this work, we present a novel drug delivery system composed of AS1411 and indocyanine green (ICG) to track its accumulation in tumoral cells in a melanoma mouse model. Using a simple supramolecular strategy, we conjugated the complex AS1411-ICG with C₈ ligand, an acridine orange derivative with potential anticancer ligand. Then, we performed in vitro cytotoxicity experiments using the B16 mouse melanoma cell line, and in vivo experiments using a B16 mouse melanoma model to study biodistribution and histological changes. The circular dichroism (CD) data suggest that C₈ does not affect the parallel G4 topology of AS1411-ICG, whereas it increases its thermal stability. Incubation of B16 melanoma cells with the AS1411-ICG complex associated with C₈ increases the cytotoxicity compared with AS1411-ICG alone. From the in vivo studies, we conclude that both AS1411-ICG and AS1411-ICG-C₈ presented the potential to accumulate preferentially in tumor tissues. Moreover, these compounds seem to be efficiently removed from the mice's bodies through kidney clearance. In summary, these results suggest that these complexes derived from AS1411 aptamer could act as a delivery system of ligands with antitumoral activity for in vivo melanoma therapy.

Anti-cancer effect of gallic acid in presence of low level laser irradiation: ROS production and induction of apoptosis and ferroptosis

BACKGROUND

There are different treatments for breast cancer and melanoma that mostly have some side effects. One of the therapeutic strategies is the use of natural components. Phenol components are a class of antioxidants in plants that have many biological functions like anticancer effects. Gallic acid (GA) is a natural polyhydroxy phenolic compound and commonly found in various foods. In the present study, GA effects alone and in combination with low-level laser irradiation on human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF), human non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A), breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and melanoma cancer cell line (A375) was under the investigation.

METHODS

The normal and cancerous cell lines were exposed to 660 nm low-level laser with 3 J/cm2 for 90 s. Then, the cells were treated with different concentrations of GA for 24 h. In another study, the cell lines firstly were treated with GA and then exposed to low-level laser irradiation. The effects of GA and low-level laser on cell survival and apoptosis were examined using MTT assay, light microscopy, ROS production assay, fluorescence microscopy (AO/EB double staining) and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The results showed that pre-treatment with low-level laser and then GA reduced the survival of breast cancer cells and melanoma more than the first treatment with GA and then low-level laser irradiation. Our findings showed that ROS production in cells treated with both low-level laser and GA was more than the cells treated with GA alone. The apoptosis and ferroptosis assays confirmed the MTT results which combination treatment with low-level laser and then GA increase the cell death probably via apoptosis and ferroptosis cell death mechanisms compared to GA alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that low-level laser irradiation alone is not able to cause death in human normal and cancerous cells. Preirradiation followed by GA treatment did not change the cell viability in human normal significantly but reduces the cell survival of cancer cells more than GA alone.

NEAT1/miR-23a-3p/KLF3: a novel regulatory axis in melanoma cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Melanoma is an extremely aggressive malignant skin tumor with high mortality. Many types of long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs have been reported to be associated with the oncogenesis of melanoma. However, a novel lncRNA-NEAT has not been thoroughly investigated in melanoma cancer. The purposes of this study were to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism in a novel couple of lnc-NEAT1 and miR-23a-3p, as well as the function role of KLF3 in the regulation of melanoma cancer.

METHODS

28 groups of tumor tissues and normal tissues were obtained from melanoma cancer patients. We performed a series of experiments and analysis, including RT-qPCR, western blots, CCK-8 assay, and migration/invasion assay, to investigate the expressions of NEAT1, miR-23a-5p and KLF3, cell viabilities, and tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

In this study, we observed that the expression of NEAT1 was significantly upregulated in melanoma tissues, which remarkedly promoted the cells' proliferation, cell migration, and invasion in melanoma cell lines. Besides, NEAT1 could directly bind to miR-23a-3p, which was found to reverse the effect caused by NEAT1. MiR-23a-3p was discovered to bind to 3'UTR of KLF3, which reduced KLF3 expression. In addition, the overexpression of KLF3 could lower the effects of miR-23a-3p caused on melanoma cancer cell development.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that NEAT1 could sponge miR-23a-3p and functions via the expression of KLF3. This axis of NEAT1/miR-23a-5p/KLF3 could together regulate melanoma cancer proliferation. This might provide a new therapeutic strategy for melanoma skin cancer.Trial registration HBTCM38574839, registered 12 October 2012.

Anticancer activity, apoptosis and a structure-activity analysis of a series of 1,4-naphthoquinone-2,3-bis-sulfides

We have previously reported on the synthesis of 1,4-naphthoquinone-sulfides and in this investigation we report on their anticancer activity against 6 human cancer cell lines to evaluate their cytostatic effects. The 1,4-naphthoquinone-2,3-bis-sulfides were most effective against melanoma (UACC62) (GI₅₀ = 6.5-10 μM) and prostate (PC3) (GI₅₀ = 5.51-8.53 μM) cancer cell lines. They exhibited better cytostatic effects than etoposide (GI₅₀ = 0.56-36.62 μM), parthenolide (GI₅₀ = 3.58-25.97 μM) and VK3 (GI₅₀ = 3.41-22.59 μM) against several of the cancer cell lines. These compounds are generally more selective for cancer cells than for normal human lung fetal fibroblasts (WI-38). One compound produces ROS which results in breast (MCF7) cancer cell death caused by apoptosis as evidenced by caspase 3/7 activation. Apoptosis was found to occur by a mitochondrial pathway and not by cell cycle arrest. Gene expression studies showed that p53 (a tumour suppressor), Mdm-2 (a p53 regulator) and Bcl-2 (apoptosis inhibitor) were up-regulated during apoptosis induction. These results encourage further research for potential application in cancer chemotherapy.

The application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in the photo-thermal therapy of melanoma cancer model

OBJECTIVES

Photo-thermal therapy (PTT) is a therapeutic method in which photon energy is converted into heat to induce hyperthermia in malignant tumor cells. In this method, energy conversion is performed by nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance induced heat efficacy. The low-cytotoxicity and high optical absorbance of NPs used in this technique are very important. In the present study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs were used as agents for PTT. For increasing water dispersibility and biocompatibility, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-TiO2 NPs (PEGylated TiO2 NPs) were synthesized and the effect of these NPs on reducing melanoma tumor size after PTT was experimentally assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To improve the dispersibility of TiO2 NPs in water, PEG was used for wrapping the surface of TiO2 NPs. The formation of a thin layer of PEG around the TiO2 NPs was confirmed through thermo-gravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Forty female cancerous mice were divided into four equal groups and received treatment with NPs and a laser diode (λ = 808 nm, P = 2 W & I = 2 W/cm2) for seven min once in the period of the treatment.

RESULTS

Compared to the mice receiving only the laser therapy, the average tumor size in the mice receiving TiO2-PEG NPs with laser excitation treatment sharply decreased.

CONCLUSION

The results of animal studies showed that PEGylated TiO2 NPs were exceptionally potent in destroying solid tumors in the PTT technique.

Challenging the heterogeneity of disease presentation in malignant melanoma-impact on patient treatment

There is an increasing global interest to support research areas that can assist in understanding disease and improving patient care. The National Cancer Institute (NIH) has identified precision medicine-based approaches as key research strategies to expedite advances in cancer research. The Cancer Moonshot program ( https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative ) is the largest cancer program of all time, and has been launched to accelerate cancer research that aims to increase the availability of therapies to more patients and, ultimately, to eradicate cancer. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics has been extensively used to study the molecular mechanisms of cancer, to define molecular subtypes of tumors, to map cancer-associated protein interaction networks and post-translational modifications, and to aid in the development of new therapeutics and new diagnostic and prognostic tests. To establish the basis for our melanoma studies, we have established the Southern Sweden Malignant Melanoma Biobank. Tissues collected over many years have been accurately characterized with respect to the tumor and patient information. The extreme variability displayed in the protein profiles and the detection of missense mutations has confirmed the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease. It is envisaged that the combined analysis of clinical, histological, and proteomic data will provide patients with a more personalized medical treatment. With respect to disease presentation, targeted treatment and medical mass spectrometry analysis and imaging, this overview report will outline and summarize the current achievements and status within malignant melanoma. We present data generated by our cancer research center in Lund, Sweden, where we have built extensive capabilities in biobanking, proteogenomics, and patient treatments over an extensive time period.

Novel Combination of Silver Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes for Plasmonic Photo Thermal Therapy in Melanoma Cancer Model

Purpose: Plasmonic photo thermal therapy (PPTT) is a therapeutic method in which the photon energy is rapidly transformed into heat via a series of radiative and non-radiative phenomena to ablate cancer. Plasmonic NPs, such as silver NPs (Ag NPs), have considerable properties in optical absorbance. Furthermore, good thermal conductivity and cell penetration ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could improve the efficacy of Ag NPs for PPTT. Decoration of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with silver has been developed to enhance thermal conductivity of the MWCNT particles. Methods: The Ag NPs were decorated on the CNTs and the ability of these particles (CNT/Ag NPs) in reduction of melanoma tumor size after PTT was evaluated experimentally. For comparison, the PTT of silver nanorods (Ag NRs) and CNTs were investigated. The melanoma tumor was induced by injection of B16/F10 cell line to the inbred mice. Different NPs were injected into the tumors and then irradiated via laser diode (λ=670 nm, P=500 mW, and I= 3.5 W/cm²) at scheduled time. Results: Monitoring of tumor sizes showed that integration of CNTs with silver could enhance the optical absorption of CNTs and improve tumor destruction in PPTT technique. Conclusion: The CNT/Ag NPs could act as a potent agent in PPTT method in curing solid tumors.

Enhancing circadian clock function in cancer cells inhibits tumor growth

BACKGROUND

Circadian clocks control cell cycle factors, and circadian disruption promotes cancer. To address whether enhancing circadian rhythmicity in tumor cells affects cell cycle progression and reduces proliferation, we compared growth and cell cycle events of B16 melanoma cells and tumors with either a functional or dysfunctional clock.

RESULTS

We found that clock genes were suppressed in B16 cells and tumors, but treatments inducing circadian rhythmicity, such as dexamethasone, forskolin and heat shock, triggered rhythmic clock and cell cycle gene expression, which resulted in fewer cells in S phase and more in G1 phase. Accordingly, B16 proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo was slowed down. Similar effects were observed in human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells. Notably, the effects of dexamethasone were not due to an increase in apoptosis nor to an enhancement of immune cell recruitment to the tumor. Knocking down the essential clock gene Bmal1 in B16 tumors prevented the effects of dexamethasone on tumor growth and cell cycle events.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we demonstrated that the effects of dexamethasone on cell cycle and tumor growth are mediated by the tumor-intrinsic circadian clock. Thus, our work reveals that enhancing circadian clock function might represent a novel strategy to control cancer progression.

A one-pot laccase-catalysed synthesis of coumestan derivatives and their anticancer activity

Suberase®, a commercial laccase from Novozymes, was used to catalyse the synthesis of coumestans. The yields, in some cases, were similar to or better than that obtained by other enzymatic, chemical or electrochemical syntheses. The compounds were screened against renal TK10, melanoma UACC62 and breast MCF7 cancer cell-lines and the GI₅₀, TGI and LC₅₀ values determined. Anticancer screening showed that the cytostatic effects of the coumestans were most effective against the melanoma UACC62 and breast MCF7 cancer cell-lines exhibiting potent activities, GI₅₀=5.35 and 7.96μM respectively. Moderate activity was obtained against the renal TK10 cancer cell-line. The total growth inhibition, based on the TGI values, of several of the compounds was better than that of etoposide against the melanoma UACC62 and the breast MCF7 cancer cell lines. Several compounds, based on the LC₅₀ values, were also more lethal than etoposide against the same cancer cell lines. The SAR for the coumestans is similar against the melanoma UACC62 and breast MCF7 cell lines. The compound having potent activity against both breast MCF7 and melanoma UACC62 cell lines has a methyl group on the benzene ring (ring A) as well as on the catechol ring (ring B). Anticancer activity decreases when methoxy and halogen substituents are inserted on rings A and B.

Detection of Melanoma Cancer Biomarker Dimethyl Disulfide Using Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy at 266 nm

Skin cells emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and some of them can be used as biomarkers for screening specific diseases. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) has been recently reported as a biomarker of melanoma skin cancer (Kwak et al. "Volatile Biomarkers from Human Melanoma Cells". J. Chromatogr. B. 2013. 931: 90-96.). With the motivation of diagnosing melanoma using DMDS as its biomarker, we explore the potential of measuring DMDS using an advanced laser spectroscopic technique as an alternative method. We report on the first DMDS measurements using an experimental system based on cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS). The test samples were mixtures of DMDS vapor and nitrogen in different concentrations. Two sampling methods were investigated to dilute the DMDS sample to low concentrations for ringdown measurements. The results showed that the ringdown system responded to various DMDS concentrations linearly and a theoretical detection limit of sub-ppb (parts per billion) could be achieved at the absorption wavelength of 266 nm. This ringdown system exhibited a high dynamic range for DMDS measurements, from ppm (parts per million) to ppt (parts per trillion) levels, given different laser wavelengths used. The feasibility of developing a portable melanoma screening sensor using the CRDS technique was also demonstrated in this study.

Photothermal cancer therapy by gold-ferrite nanocomposite and near-infrared laser in animal model

Surface plasmon resonance effect of gold nanostructures makes them good candidates for photothermal therapy (PTT) application. Herein, gold-ferrite nanocomposite (GFNC) was synthesized and characterized as a photothermal agent in PTT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GFNC upon laser irradiation on treatment of cancer in mice bearing melanoma cancer. Thirty mice received 1.5 × 10(6) B16/F10 cells subcutaneously. After 1 week, the mice bearing solid tumor were divided into four groups: control group (without any treatment), laser group (received laser irradiation without GFNC injection), GFNC group (only received intratumorally GFNC), and GFNC + laser group (received intratumorally GFNC upon laser irradiation). In GFNC + laser group, 200 μL of fluid, 1.3 × 10(-7) mol L(-1) gold nanoparticles, was injected intratumorally and immediately the site of tumor was exposed to continuous wave diode laser beam (808 nm, 1.6 W cm(-2)) for 15 min. All mice but four were euthanized 24 h after treatment to compare the necrotic surface area histologically by using measuring graticule. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in necrosis extent for GFNC + laser group, compared to other groups. Four subjects (control group and GFNC + laser group, two mice each) were kept for longitudinal study. Histological analyses and tumor volume measurements of the four subjects indicated that tumor in GFNC + laser group was controlled appropriately. It was concluded that combining an 808-nm laser at a power density of 1.6 W cm(-2) with GFNC has a destruction effect in melanoma cancer cells in an animal model.